The former head of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Rene Fasel, spoke about the integrity of the hockey community, emphasizing a sense of unity within the sport. His remarks were quoted by Sports24 to reflect a hopeful view of how international competition should be handled and how the hockey family can stay connected through shared decisions.
He expressed strong support for allowing the Israeli team to participate in the World Junior Championship held in Bulgaria, highlighting that granting such opportunities aligns with the core values of inclusion and fair play. In his view, similar decisions should be considered for other eligible teams, including Russia, to reinforce the idea that the hockey community should stand together as one.
During the spring of 2022, the International Ice Hockey Federation made a decisive move by banning Russian players from international events. The ban applied even to players competing under neutral status, and Russia was also stripped of the right to host the youth world championship on home soil in 2023. These steps were taken in response to broader geopolitical tensions and the need to uphold the federation’s standards and rules governing eligibility and competition.
In March 2023, the council of the IIHF extended the suspension for the 2023/24 season, signaling ongoing evaluation of the situation. At the same time, president Luc Tardif stated that the council would revisit the question of admitting national teams from Russia and Belarus in March 2024, signaling a potential shift based on evolving circumstances and policy considerations within international sport.
In the wake of renewed conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, the IIHF initially restricted Israeli participation in certain events but subsequently adjusted its stance and allowed their involvement again. This sequence underscored the federation’s balancing act between political realities and the goal of keeping the hockey calendar inclusive and stable for participating nations.
Earlier reporting noted that NHL players were anticipated to participate in the Olympic Games scheduled for 2026 and 2030, signaling a future where professional players could contribute to national teams at major sporting events and continue shaping the level of competition on the world stage.